Some businesses are built around spotting a gap that everyone else has simply accepted. For Sunnie, owner of Calgary Canine Dental, that gap was canine dental care. After spending years working with animals, she noticed that while most dogs regularly had their nails trimmed and coats groomed, their teeth were often overlooked because the available options felt out of reach for many owners.
Calgary Canine Dental offers sedation-free cosmetic dog teeth cleaning, giving owners a straightforward way to make dental maintenance part of their dog’s regular grooming routine. We spoke with Sunnie about building a business around calm, low-stress care, why knowing when to stop is just as important as knowing how to clean, and what makes working with dogs rewarding every day.
What is your business called and what does it do?
Calgary Canine Dental offers sedation-free cosmetic dog teeth cleaning in Calgary. Using hand scaling tools, we remove plaque and tartar from a dog’s teeth, the same way a groomer handles nails or a bath, without sedation.
What made you want to do this work?
I have worked with animals my whole life, so this was never really a career change; it was just the next thing. I kept noticing that teeth were the one part of grooming that always got skipped, not because owners did not care, but because there was no easy option for it. When I found a training programme that approached it the way I would want it done, calmly and without unnecessary stress on the dog, it made complete sense to build something around that.
What problem did you want to solve with the business?
Most Calgary dogs get groomed regularly, but their teeth never get the same attention. Not because owners don’t care, but because the only option was a full veterinary procedure. I wanted to make cosmetic teeth cleaning as accessible as any other part of a dog’s grooming routine.
Who are your clientele/demographics?
Calgary dog owners who already invest in regular grooming and want teeth cleaning to be part of that routine. Small breed owners in particular, as smaller dogs tend to accumulate tartar faster and benefit most from regular cosmetic maintenance.
How does your business make money? How does it work?
Clients book online and pay a flat rate per appointment. One service, one price, no tiers based on breed or size. If we cannot complete the cleaning for any reason, there is no charge.
Where in the city can we find your profession?
We are based in southwest Calgary and serve clients across the city.
What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.
What happens if my dog won’t tolerate the cleaning?
We stop. There is no charge if we cannot complete the cleaning, and we will never push a dog past what they are comfortable with.
What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?
Best: The dogs. Seeing an animal stay calm and relaxed through something new is genuinely rewarding every single time.
Worst: Turning away a dog whose teeth need more than cosmetic cleaning can offer.
Where can we follow you?
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